Soldiers Turn To Cattle Rustling As Economic Woes Bite

Some members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) are reported to have turned to cattle rustling to supplement their income as the economic woes bedevilling the country continue to bite.

New Zimbabwe reports that members of the Masvingo Beef Producers Association (MBPA) have alleged that armed soldiers are part of a cattle rustling syndicate which has terrorised the area and got away with at least 300 cattle between January and May.

MBPA chairman Robert Makhado told NewZimbabwe

All our districts in the province are affected and we have evidence that armed military personnel are now part of the cattle rustling business and beef producers in the province are now living in fear.

We have reported each armed stock theft case to the police and as an association, we are pleased by the police investigations.

Police have managed to provide us with evidence implicating soldiers who came as far as Birchenough Bridge (on the fringes of Manicaland). Some soldiers have been arrested and taken to court but their cases die a natural death in the courts and our members are now worried.

The late Provincial Governor for Masvingo, Shuvai Mahofa was reportedly part of the syndicate.